Young people from across South Ayrshire have been recognised for their efforts and achievements at the first ever South Ayrshire Youth Awards ceremony, which took place in December 2010. The awards, organised by South Ayrshire Youth Forum, were open to young people living in South Ayrshire aged between 14-25 years.
Nominations were submitted for Sport,
The Arts, Democracy/Citizenship, Health, Entertainment, Volunteering,
Community Involvement and 'Unsung Hero'. The Arts aw award was sponsored by Ayrshire Arts Network.
More than 50 nominations were received and considered by a partnership panel of experienced youth work staff, who selected finalists and winners in each of the categories.
The Arts Award was presented to
Caylee Baxter, Stephanie Cohen, Gavin Cunningham, Andrew Ralph. of the Gateway Group (Domain). It was awarded to the group 'for members' enthusiasm, commitment and interest in arts and crafts'. Among other successful individuals was Andrew Pollock who won the Scottish Book Trust Award .
Young musicians and their teachers all over East Ayrshire are celebrating further success on a national stage. Once again, East Ayrshire Council has won a prestigious prize in this year’s National Music Council Local Authority Music Education Awards for its high-quality music provision to young people in schools.
The at the British Phonographic Industry offices in London proved a great success and awards were presented by Robin Osterley, Chair of the Awards Panel. The Major Trophy was jointly awarded to East Ayrshire and Devon and some of their young musicians were invited along to perform. “An added surprise was the special award from the Performing Rights Society, recognising ‘East Ayrshire’s commitment to creative music-making and composition’. Particular comment was made on the Masterworks partnership programme with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and our Homecoming Commission Welcome Home with pupils from Northern Ireland and Norway”.
Seven pupils from Kilmarnock Academy and one from James Hamilton travelled down to London with John Wilson, Links Officer in Arts and Education, Paul Wood, Instrumental Music Services Manager, Julie Carrie, Support Tutor and Krista Donnelly, Vocal Instructor.
This is the sixth year in a row East Ayrshire has been recognised by the NMC. Since Local Government reorganisation in 1996, East Ayrshire is the only Scottish Local Authority to have been awarded the Major Trophy by the National Music Council (NMC) – and one of only a few local authorities to have won the Major Trophy on more than one occasion.